This year, the VLN Langstreckenmeisterschaft Nürburgring will be starting the new season with a bang. One week prior to the season opener (April 2nd), a public event will be held for the first time at the occasion of the VLN test session on March 26th. At this event, a couple of race cars will be driven straight from the track into the indoor ring°boulevard, where the big VLN opening press conference, open to the public for the first time, will be held at noon.
“The Langstreckenmeisterschaft is a club race series that above all stands out for its accessibility for the fans”, says Hans Jürgen Hilgeland, spokesman of the VLN shareholders. “Living up to this, we are using the possibilities that the new facilities at the Nürburgring are offering us. Being able to stage a public event at the end of March, irrespective of the weather, is an opportunity we didn’t have so far.” VLN managing director Robert Rust adds: “At the press conference prior to the new season, topics are being presented that are addressed to the general public, so what would be more logical than allowing our fans to take part? Everyone is invited to warm up to the 2011 motor racing season together with us.”
During the test session, numerous VLN teams will be trying their new projects for the 2011 season in the “Green Hell” for the first time. Access is free, not only along the race track, but also into the paddock. From 10 am, the cars will start on the Nordschleife. The public press conference at the ring°boulevard will start around noon. In the first round of interviews, VLN track commentator Lars Gutsche will be welcoming representatives of the VLN, the Nürburgring Automotive GmbH and TV partner Wige Media AG to give an outlook on the upcoming season. After that, the new partners and sponsors of the VLN will be presented. Then, the sound will increase before the third round of interviews as selected cars from various categories will be driven directly from the race track into the ring°boulevard. From production-based touring cars to thoroughbred GT3 sports cars, the entire portfolio of the series will be on display and the drivers will be talking to Lars Gutsche. After the press conference, the cars will be returning to the race track. After all, the goal is to get the best preparation for the upcoming season opener.
